Jefferson at a glance
- Population: 7,646 — 125th in Wisconsin, which has 605 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,790 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.8% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 125th out of 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 79% of the places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 43.0040, -88.8085 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Fort Atkinson, WI (6 mi); Whitewater, WI (12 mi); Watertown, WI (13 mi); Oconomowoc, WI (17 mi); Cottage Grove, WI (21 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller places close by: Johnson Creek, WI (6 mi); Lake Mills, WI (7 mi); Cambridge, WI (11 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Jefferson
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Jefferson
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Jefferson
Run through this list before signing anything in Jefferson:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.